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It is indisputable that automatic and electric garage door openers are becoming the norm in modern garages. However, some homeowners still choose the dependability and straightforward manual operation for their homes.
The choice between a manual and an electric garage door opener is personal, given the advantages in certain circumstances. Some home situations benefit better from manual garage doors, while others may do well with automatic doors.
Comparing Manual Garage Door Operation vs Electric Opener
Manual garage doors are the traditional overhead doors that move up or down to open and close the garage. They can be opened manually by lifting the door or pulling a cord using the chain hoist system.
Electric garage doors have many interrelated parts and gears that work together to operate the door and ensure its security.
Parts and Design
Manual overhead doors have a simple design. They are easy to use and can be installed without a complicated electrical system or a power source.
Electric or automatic garage doors have motors, sensors and gate control systems. Because of their motorized functions, installation and setup tend to involve complex mechanisms.
Operation
Manual garage door operation requires physical force to open or close the door. Accessing large and heavy garage doors might be challenging, especially during bad weather.
Operating a garage door is quicker and more convenient using access controllers like remote control, fob or keypad.
Maintenance
Because they have fewer components and moving parts, manual garage doors are easier to maintain. They are also less prone to mechanical failures and require less frequent maintenance.
With electric doors, periodic maintenance and parts adjustments and alignments are necessary to ensure smooth operation.
Noise Level
Garage door openers do make some noise. This is true for most overhead garage openers that use the chain drive system, whether they are manual or electric openers.
The good thing about electric openers is the introduction of quiet systems, such as belt drive and wall-mount garage door openers, that reduce vibrations and noise levels.
Cost
Installing and maintaining a manual garage door is relatively cheaper than their electric counterparts. This is ideal if you have financial issues but still want a secure garage to stow your vehicles and keep the vandals away.
Security: Manual vs Electric Garage Door Operation
Electric garage door operators are equipped with safety and security features such as automatic locks, motion detection, infrared sensors, and remote controls. They also have safety sensors that prevent accidental closing on something by the doorway.
Modern manual garage doors are not to be underestimated in terms of security, either. A reliable manual lock system has kept many garage doors secured for a long time.
One advantage of owning a manually operated garage door is its dependability during a power outage. You simply lock the garage and never worry about a non-functional electric lock when the power goes out, then access the garage door the same way.
Electric garage door openers have mechanisms that keep the locks in place in case of power loss. They can also remotely open and close the door for several cycles within 24 hours if there is a battery backup or solar power connection.
However, if opening the garage door fails, you may still need to access the electric opener by hand using its manual release function. The manual release function bypasses the opening mechanism if the power is out or the remote controller fails.
Accessing the emergency release cord wrongly can cause the heavy door to come crashing down. So, it is best to follow the instructions in the user manual or call a technician if you are unsure about its manual release operation.
Manual Garage Door Operation Benefits
Manual garage door operation is a straightforward and age-old system trusted by many users through generations. It applies to all garage door types and designs, such as roll-up doors, sectional doors, high-speed doors, and fire-rated doors.
A manual garage door is a good choice if you have or want a:
- Classic or vintage home
- Detached garage or garage where electrical installation is impossible
- Roll-up garage door type
- Simple and easy-to-use system
- Secure garage door despite power outage
- Cost-effective and budget-friendly garage door installation
Disadvantages of Manual Garage Door System
- Manual operation
- Inconvenient to access
- Not suitable for homeowners with mobility problems
Electric Garage Door Opener Advantages
Automatic garage doors are the modern trend in garage door opener systems. They have gained popularity over the years, mostly because of their practical and convenient features.
However, while most manual garage door types can be automated, automation may not work with roll-up doors. These types do not have a horizontal track where the door is raised or lowered when opening and closing it.
Instead, roll-up doors coil up into the ceiling, making them difficult to operate by traditional electric garage door operators.
Electric garage doors are best because of their:
- Convenient and remote access
- Safety features like sensors and door reversal
- Security features such as automatic lock
- Various speed options
Disadvantages of Electric Garage Door Operators
- Complex to install
- Requires frequent maintenance
- Expensive
- Relies on power
Manual vs Automatic Garage Door Systems
Choosing between manual and electric garage door openers should come after evaluating your specific needs and usage requirements. The good thing is that most manual doors can be upgraded to an electric system. If you have budget constraints, you can start with a manual garage door while saving up for automation.
To automate your manual garage door, visit All Security Equipment. If you have questions, you may also contact our customer service or technical team.
